Estimated Sown Area for Crops in Western Australia Increases

08-May-2026 04:11 PM

Hobart. The Grain Industry Association of Western Australia (GIWA) has revised its estimate for the total sown area of ​​various crops in the state of Western Australia, raising it from the previous month's figure of 8.93 million hectares to 9.38 million hectares. According to the Association, the state's various regions have received good rainfall over the past few weeks, rendering conditions for sowing largely favorable. Early sowing has already commenced in certain parts of the state, while the pace of sowing is expected to accelerate significantly starting from mid-May.

Wheat, barley, canola, and pulse crops are cultivated on a large scale in Western Australia. Although concerns had been raised regarding potential shortages and high prices of chemical fertilizers in Australia—stemming from the crisis in West Asia—the Association states that the situation has now improved significantly. Farmers are receiving their fertilizer supplies, and there is no deficiency of moisture in the soil.

This season, farmers in the state may accord special priority to canola cultivation over wheat; consequently, the area under wheat cultivation is likely to shrink, while the acreage dedicated to canola is expected to expand. Over the past few years, the area sown with wheat has shown a declining trend on a percentage basis. In 2016, wheat accounted for 59 percent of the total production area; this share has now dropped to approximately 40 percent. Compared to the previous year, the acreage under wheat cultivation is projected to decrease by 14 percent this season. Over the last decade, the area dedicated to canola has grown from 15.5 percent to reach 24.5 percent.